Characteristics in Diverse Wear Tolerant Genotypes of Kentucky Bluegrass

Abstract

has been suggested to correspond with various anatomical and morphological plant characteristics. These char- Evaluations of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) wear toler-acteristics include total cell wall content (TCW), quanance have been conducted; however, studies investigating wear mechanisms within this species is limited. This information would be valuable tity of schlerenchyma fibers, leaf width and leaf tensile in selecting wear tolerant genotypes. The objective of this study was strength, and shoot density (and verdure) (Shearman to identify anatomical and morphological characteristics in diverse and Beard, 1975band Beard, , 1975c. wear tolerant Kentucky bluegrasses. Wear treatments were applied Studies by Shearman and Beard (1975c) and Trento the 2000 National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) Kentucky holm et al. (2000) have focused on the constituents of bluegrass field plots in the fall of 2002 at the University of Massachucell walls as a principle means of explaining turfgrass setts Joseph Troll Turf Research Center at South Deerfield, MA.wear tolerance. Cell wall components include cellulose, Wear treatments were applied to 173 genotypes with a differential hemicellulose, and lignin (Taiz and Zeiger, 1972). Celluslip-wear apparatus, and plots were visually rated for wear injury.lose is a tightly packed group of polysaccharide chains The 10 most wear tolerant (TOL) and intolerant (INTOL) genotypes that provides plant tissues with a high tensile strength. were selected for further evaluation. Twelve characteristics were measured in 2003 and 2004 comparing TOL and INTOL genotypes in This suggests that plants with higher percentages of field plots and as greenhouse grown spaced-plants. Characteristics cellulose may be more tolerant to wear stress. Hemiincluded tiller density, shoot fresh weight and dry weight, shoot water celluloses are a heterogeneous group of polysaccharides content, leaf turgidity, number of leaves per shoot, leaf width, leaf that bind to cellulose to further strengthen cell walls. strength, leaf angle, and leaf cell wall constituents [total cell wall Lignin is a highly branched polymer of phenylpropanoid content (TCW), hemicellulose, and lignocellulose]. Not all differences groups that possesses high mechanical rigidity and thereobserved in the greenhouse were present in field plots. Significant fore strengthens stems and vascular tissues (Taiz and differences were found between genotypes and TOL and INTOL Zeiger, 1972). Because of its physical toughness, lignin groupings. No significant interaction with year was detected. Tolerant deters feeding by animals (van Soest, 1994) and theregenotypes were associated with a more vertical leaf angle, greater fore may play a role in wear tolerance. TCW and lignocellulose content, and a lower shoot moisture content and leaf turgidity. Leaf angle was the single most important attribute Anatomical characteristics unique to the cell walls of separating wear TOL and INTOL genotypes. Biological explanation wear tolerant species have been ana...

Anatomical and morphological factors affecting wear tolerance of turfgrass

“…According to Brosnan et al (2005), measurements from unmowed spaced-plants are not always the most reliable for predicting the turfgrass performance of mowed turf stands. Plant material for laboratory analysis was collected at the field trial in order to obtain plants grown in typical exploitation conditions.…”

“…One-cm-long leaf fragments were excised from the middle of the second subtending leaf from the bud leaf and briefly fixed in a formalin-acetic acid-ethanol solution (FAA). This location of the leaf sample was reported to vary between cultivars whilst minimizing the variation within a cultivar (Brede and Duich, 1982;Brosnan et al, 2005). Then, fixed leaf fragments were dehydrated through a tertiary butyl alcohol and xylol series and embedded in paraffin wax (Johansen, 1940).…”

“…Similar results were also obtained by Zhang et al (2004) who detected significant correlations between tensile strength and a cross-sectional area and a number of major vascular bundles in leaves of forage grasses. According to Brosnan et al (2005) the wear tolerant genotypes of Poa pratensis were associated with a more vertical leaf angle, greater total cell wall and lignocellulose content, and a lower shoot moisture content and leaf turgidity.…”

Effects of Sequential Trinexapac-Ethyl Applications and Traffic on Growth of Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)

“…Traffic also causes wear injury to aboveground plant parts and soil compaction (Carrow and Petrovic, 1992). Anatomical, morphological, and physiological characteristics could be attributed to a species ability to tolerate traffic stress (Brosnan et al, 2005). Any management practice that increases the aboveground plant parts and root density of a turf increases the probability of tolerance to traffic stress (Carrow and Wiecko, 1989).…”

Characterization, Development, and Management of Organic Matter in Turfgrass Systems

“…Plant organic materials primarily comprise the constituents of the cell walls and cytoplasm. These include structural carbohydrates, such as cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin; nonstructural carbohydrates, such as sucrose, fructose, and starch; proteins and other nitrogenous compounds, such as enzymes and nucleic acids; lipids, including waxes, pectins, and pigments; and secondary metabolites, such as terpenoids, alkaloids, and phenylpropanoids (Shearman and Beard, 1975;Hull, 1992;Paul and Clark, 1996;Horwath, 2002Horwath, , 2007Narra et al, 2004Narra et al, , 2005Brosnan et al, 2005;Watkins et al, 2006;He and Huang, 2007;Turgeon, 2008). These vary in proportion depending on the plant type and part, the age of the material, and the extent of decay (Shearman and Beard, 1975;Martens, 2000;Trenholm et al, 2000;Johnson et al, 2007).…”